The Fate of the Perennial Sub Male Lead is in My Hands

Cancer is an affectionate, kind, and homely sign.

The most important thing to a Cancer is affection. They are often lonely and eagerly await someone to love them with all their heart and soul.

Marienne was busy handling the duties of a civil servant she had come to work for.

With a serious expression, she sat at her desk and diligently read the horoscope predictions printed in the corner of today’s newspaper.

Giving their all means they are devoted, romantic, and passionate lovers.

Let’s not forget that Cancer is the most erotic constellation among the twelve zodiac signs.

Marienne closed her eyes tightly and then opened them. She hadn’t seen it wrong. Above the sentence stating it was the most erotic constellation, Vileon’s face overlapped.

“As expected, he’s always prepared.”

She wanted to submit it to Odette as an postscript to her list of a 101 reasons why she should have Vileon Beers as her mate.

Of course, it was just Marienne’s imagination. Odette was not the type to take horoscope personalities seriously, even as a source of amusement.

Below the personality analysis, there was also a brief mention of today’s fortune. Marienne read it out.

“Emotions will be turbulent today. Let’s be cautious around upset stomachs and nearby water.”

She recalled her actions from yesterday when she had even considered adding laxatives to the cake. In hindsight, it was truly a terrible thing to contemplate.

“Sorry, Lord Byers.”

Deciding to pretend she hadn’t seen the two words ‘upset stomach,’ Marienne suppressed the twinge of guilt.

“Well, here’s the fortune section.”

Just as Marienne was about to check her and Odette’s fortunes, someone knocked on the office door. It was to tell her that the birthday cake she had ordered had arrived in the kitchen.

Marienne quickly got up from her seat. She would read the rest of it carefully once she finished her work.

As she descended to the kitchen, everyone greeted Marienne with excited expressions.

“The cake looks amazing!”

“Actually, I was wondering if we could just make it in our kitchen, but no, this is a work of art.”

“I’m sure Lord Byers will love it.”

People praised the third aide’s discerning eye. Marienne smiled and then checked the time. It was almost time for Vileon to finish his state of the nation report and return to his office.

“You four, go and distribute the cupcakes. Don’t forget to go to the Fourth Princess’s palace first.”

“Yes!”

“When I give the signal later, the bodyguard will come in with a bouquet of flowers, okay?”

“Yes, understood.”

Before leaving the kitchen, Marienne caught a glimpse of the cake. The cake was adorned with a delicate cream in the color of milky tea, which was impeccably perfect.

Regardless of what would happen this afternoon, Vileon deserved to receive this splendid cake.

“Well then, shall we get moving?”

At Marienne’s words, everyone moved swiftly.

And Marienne silently pledged to herself to handle the afternoon’s locket necklace incident.

Hopefully, they would achieve a favorable outcome, just like at the Opera House.

Vileon deserved to have a happier birthday than anyone else.

◇ ◆ ◇

“Lord Byers, it’s Didi. I have something to ask……”

“Come in.”

The answer came before she could finish her sentence. Marienne opened the office door and went inside. She intentionally left the door open, anticipating the bodyguard who would come running with a large bouquet of flowers.

“Huh? Lord Byers, where are you?”

“Behind the partition.”

Others typically used the space behind the partition as a changing area. But Vileon never had to do such a thing.

He always come to work in a formal attire. And he never dirtied his clothes until he leaves.

Marienne, on the other hand, was someone who constantly worried about keeping her chest free from stains of jam or black tea.

So, for Vileon to be behind the partition…

It couldn’t be that he was playing hide-and-seek. Was there something important that happened during the meeting with the Emperor?

Marienne approached the partition, which had only ever been used was interior design, not knowing what she would see.

“Just a moment, Marienne. I’m undressed right now.”

“Yes.”

Marienne reflexively responded, but it took a few seconds for her to fully understand Vileon’s words.

“……Yes?”

Surprised, her voice came out like a startled chick.

‘No, I mean, why are you taking your clothes off, how did you get them off, and if you did, did you take them all off or just your coat, please clarify!’

Of course, she couldn’t say such things. Marienne hesitated with her words and realized that she had gotten too close to the partition.

‘If by any chance the partition falls because of my outstretched hand…’

Imagination is always extreme. She imagined the scene of Vileon, who hadn’t put on a single feather, panicking when the partition collapsed.

Vileon would have a sculpted body. But she didn’t want to see his bare skin like that. Besides, the office door is wide open now!

Marienne quickly held her breath. Before making an irreversible mistake, she hastily took a step back.

But that, too, turned out to be another kind of mistake.

“Lord Byers…?”

“I’m listening.”

“Do you have clothes to change into?”

“Yes, fortunately I left spare clothes in the office.”

“I see…”

Marienne made an effort to continue the awkward conversation. She had to divert her attention elsewhere.

Because she saw Vileon through the decorative hole in the partition.

It was meaningless to question whether this hole was originally there.

Of course it had always been there. Did Vileon intentionally create it? Did he painstakingly fold the partition at each fold?

I can’t believe you’re blaming the partition maker when you’re not even paying attention, Didi.

Marienne carefully crafted her next words.

“Did you get something on your clothes?”

She blurted out.

Once she became aware of the holes, her eyes kept drifting towards it. And right at that moment, she caught a glimpse of a slim waist that curved gracefully.

Marienne’s eyes widened. Even after the pristine white shirt covered his bare skin, the impression of a firm waist remained.

‘Oh my god. You could hold water if you’re lying down.’

Suddenly, the temperature in the room rose dramatically.

“I’m covered in tea and milk.”

“How did that happen?”

“His Majesty has reported from the cricket ground that the weather is fine today. There was an accident at the cricket ground where an eager nobleman collided with an attendant while running.”

Vileon stood facing the partition, unaware that his aide was peering through the holes.

“Instinctively, I tried to help the attendant but ended up spilling tea and milk. The attendant happened to be carrying a tray that time.”

“Are you sure you weren’t hurt? The tea must have been hot……!”

“Fortunately, the tea was lukewarm.”

There was a hint of laughter in Vileon’s tone.

“His Majesty can’t take anything hot.”

As he fastened all the buttons on his shirt, he rolled up the sleeves of his waistcoat. The movement caused his shirt to ride up a few centimeters.

“Huhp!”

Marienne stared greedily at the abs exposed beneath his shirt. If I can’t find a grater in the kitchen, I can grate potatoes there, she thought.

Cover the hole.

No, make it even bigger.

No, you pervert. Can’t you turn your head away right now?

Bigger! Bigger! Bigger!

“How did I end up in this ordeal……”

As Marienne muttered to herself, Vileon couldn’t hear her properly from the other side of the partition.

Marienne pressed the palms of her hands against her cheeks. She could feel her face burning hot. She had to calm down before Vileon came out from behind the partition. It would be a big problem otherwise.

“Oh, I was reading your horoscope in the paper earlier, you’re a Cancer, so be careful around water today.”

“Oh. I wish I had seen that.”

Vileon placed his shirt inside his pants and touched his waistband. Just before Marienne’s eyes could pierce through him, luckily, he turned his body.

“By the way, the aide knows my zodiac sign?”

“Of course.”

“Then, what was your horoscope for today?”

Vileon continued.

“You’re a Scorpio.”

“Uh…… How do you know that?”

“How did I know?”

He chuckled softly.

“I saw it in your personnel file and remembered it.”

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong?”

Marienne confessed.

“I didn’t see it.”

“Does that mean you looked at my horoscope before yours?”

“Yes.”

Vileon unexpectedly walked out from behind the partition.

It wasn’t the first time Marienne had seen him wearing a shirt and vest. But that was when she was at Count Byers’, and the rest of the family was dressed more casually then.

Marienne felt a bit awkward seeing Vileon without his uniform coat, something she had never seen before in the royal palace.

Even though it was the same outfit in a different location, it felt like something somehow was crossing a line.

“Why do I always come first?”

Vileon whispered. Marienne replied that that attitude was already ingrained in her body. She then raised her head and looked at Vileon.

The ends of his brown hair were slightly damp.

“I just washed it. Even if the tea is fine, milk tends to smell after a while.”

He explained, noticing his aide’s gaze.

“I said I washed it… But can you confirm it? If it still smells bad.”

Vileon leaned in slowly. Marienne stared at him blankly when he leaned in as if to kiss her. Her eyes were drawn to his lips again, just as they had been at the ice cream parlor.

I wondered what a kiss with Vileon would taste like.

At that moment, a pleasant scent that was difficult to express enveloped Marienne. She took a deep breath.

You’re teasing me again. What soap did you wash with? Mint fragrance is usually nice, but this one smells more like cold water.

“Marienne?”

“……I like it.”

Marienne murmured with unfocused eyes. Vileon’s lips seemed to tremble slightly.

“You like it? How much?”

“Just…… a lot……”

“If you like it that much, should we continue using this for future washes?”

Marienne nodded her head as if she were enchanted by something, then quickly looked around. It was because the noble ladies and maidservants in every spot Vileon passed seemed to hold their breath.

“I’m curious about the reason for your change of heart, but I understand that that’s the aide’s opinion.”

Vileon smiled and straightened his posture.

“Didn’t you say you had a question for me?”

Marienne was relieved that he was more rational than herself. Vileon’s wake-up call brought her out of the pinkish dreamlike state.

‘The signal!’

How much time has passed? Marienne did her best not to hesitate and quickly headed towards the corridor.

“Oh, right. I was checking the mail.”

Marienne smoothly shifted her steps as she spoke.

“I got a package that was a little weird. So I just dropped it off at the door over there…….”

As if pretending to retie her shoelaces, Marienne bent down and the pen she haphazardly tucked into her jacket pocket rolled onto the floor. The round pen rolled past the door and into the hallway.

Marienne concealed a smile of relief and stood up.

“Would you mind taking a look with me?”